Joods Historisch Museum

Jewish history in Amsterdam: A museum, historic synagogue, and the Anne Frank House

The Joods Historisch Musuem (Jewish History Museum) in Amsterdam.To most visitors, the history of Dutch Jews in Amsterdam begins and ends with the Anne Frank House. But there's more to Jewish history in this famously tolerant of European cities.

Ever a tolerant country, the Netherlands welcomed hundreds of mainly Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Although at first restricted to certain trades like diamond-cutting, by 1796 Jews in Amsterdam were granted full civil rights, unheard of in that era in Europe, a position they enjoyed until the Nazi occupation.

The Jewish Historical Museum

But to dig deeper into the history of Amsterdam's Jewish population, visit the Joods Historisch Museum. Located near Waterlooplein, which was the heart of the Jewish district, this vast museum chronicles the 350 years of Jewish history and culture in the city.

Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1 (Jonas Daniël Meijerplein 2-4)
tel. +31-020-531-0310
www.jhm.nl
Tram: 9, 14; Metro: 51, 53, 54; Canal Bus: Red, Green, or Blue (to City Hall).
Open: daily 11am–5pm
Adm

The Portuguese Synagogue

The Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam.The Portuguese Synagogue, built in 1665, is the only still-functioning temple to survive from Amsterdam's 17th century heyday.

In 2011, expect it to close for a week or two here and there as they finish an ongoing restoration project.

Mr. Visserplein 3 (temporary entrance: Jonas Daniël Meijerplein 7)
tel. +31-(0)20-624-5351
www.portugesesynagoge.nl
Open: Sun–Fri 10am–4pm (Nov-Mat, closes at 2pm on Fridays)
Adm

Tips

• Get the pass: The I Amsterdam Card City Pass gets you into most major attractions (including both Joods Historish Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue) for free, plus unlimited rides on all public transportation, a canal cruise, and more.
  

Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs © the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board